Hotel Adlon Kempinski

The Hotel Adlon Kempinski is the best-known hotel in Berlin, and its address on Pariser Platz, looking straight at the Brandenburg Gate, is hard to beat. The original Hotel Adlon opened in October 1907, financed by the wine merchant and restaurateur Lorenz Adlon, and quickly became the meeting place of Berlin society, diplomats and visiting celebrities. It was left in ruins after a fire in May 1945, and the remaining wings were later demolished. The present building, designed to echo the original, opened in August 1997 and is run by Kempinski.

The hotel has 385 rooms and suites, decorated in a classic style with rich fabrics and traditional furniture. Many rooms overlook Unter den Linden or Pariser Platz, and rooms with a view of the Brandenburg Gate are especially sought after, particularly in the evening when the gate is lit. The lobby, with its fountain and grand staircase, is a destination in itself, and afternoon tea or a drink at the Lobby Lounge and Bar is a popular way to experience the hotel without staying.

Dining options include the Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer, a Michelin-starred restaurant, the Brasserie Quarré, which looks out onto the square, and Adlon To Go for lighter food. The Adlon Spa by Resense covers about 9,000 square feet over three levels, with treatment rooms and wellness facilities that make it a good retreat after a day of sightseeing.

The hotel suits travellers celebrating a special occasion, business visitors to the nearby government quarter, and anyone who values a central, historic address and traditional five-star service. Families are well looked after, and the location means that many of the main sights can be reached on foot. Rates are among the highest in the city, and booking a room category with a view is worth considering if the gate is part of the appeal.

Even if you are not staying, the Adlon is part of the scene on Pariser Platz, and many visitors step inside to see the lobby or book a table for tea. For guests, the address offers a rare chance to walk out of the front door straight into the history of the city.

Brandenburger Tor station, on the S-Bahn and U5, is just outside, so the airport, Hauptbahnhof and Alexanderplatz are easy to reach. The Reichstag Building is a few minutes' walk to the north, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe lies just to the south, and Unter den Linden leads east towards Bebelplatz, the Gendarmenmarkt and Museum Island. The Tiergarten begins on the other side of the gate.